Republicans Endorse Munster For Congress

July 10, 1994|By KATHRYN KRANHOLD; Courant Staff Writer

COLCHESTER — With balloons popping, one trumpet blaring and no opposition, Edward W. Munster received the Republican endorsement Saturday to run against incumbent Sam Gejdenson for Congress in the 2nd District .

The vote by acclamation at Bacon Academy was in contrast to the convention two years ago, when the former state senator lost the endorsement to Glenn T. Carberry. Munster then beat Carberry in a primary, but lost the election to Gejdenson by less than 2 percent of the vote.

David Bingham, a Salem physician, is also challenging Gejdenson.

``I am ready to battle Sam Gejdenson. I urge an all-out effort to remove Sam Gejdenson from office,'' a confident Munster told 131 cheering delegates after the vote. ``I'm ready to lead, ready to fight, willing to struggle and ready to win.''

As the convention started, Republican State Chairman John A. Mastropietro urged Munster's supporters to work for his election.

``Ed Munster is poised and ready to go,'' he said.

Several speakers described Munster's campaign as a grass-roots ef- fort and urged supporters to get out with him, talk to their neighbors, get excited, give their time and money.

The grass-roots spirit was brought home by the skeleton cast of characters marching through the auditorium at different points in the convention. One processional included a trumpet player, a few whistles, a volunteer wearing a Herman Munster mask -- for the television show character whose son's name was Eddie -- and several people carrying ``Munster for Congress'' yard signs.

Keith Knowlton, a candidate for the state legislature, characterized Munster as a penny pincher and Gejdenson as a politician who doesn't care about his constituents' money. Knowlton said Gejdenson will have a catered dinner and a full symphony at his convention.

Munster's speech centered on getting Gejdenson out of Congress. Munster criticized the Bozrah Democrat for supporting the ``single- payer'' health care plan. He said the plan would eliminate thousands of jobs in Connecticut. He then attacked Gejdenson's proposal for a job training program for displaced workers, saying that it's an ineffective government program that puts private sector employees out of work.

Munster said he would oppose any income tax increases. He said he would support tax incentives for business and for individuals to increase savings and investment.

Munster, 53, of Haddam, retired this year as a supervisor of biostatistics at Pfizer Inc. His wife, Judy, and two sons, Eric and Mark, joined him on stage Saturday. A third son, Terry, was away at school, but will be home soon to help on the campaign, Munster said.

Munster, who has raised more than $100,000, said Saturday that his campaign was in debt by the time of the primary two years ago, so he had no money for the election campaign. This year, without a primary, he plans to use his money in the campaign against Gejdenson.

Bingham was mentioned in passing at the convention as ``the doctor.'' Bingham is seeking the endorsement of A Connecticut Party, and is petitioning to get on the ballot if he does not receive the endorsement.